Growing up, art and dance was my life! I studied movement, drawing, watercolor, oils and metal design. I became intrigued with stained glass after reading about Tiffany and seeing the magnificent windows he designed. Glass is much like watercolors, with light streaming through colored glass and bevels. After ten years of stained glass work, I began cutting and nipping tiles; incorporating the square textured mosaic tiles into my work. My designs are a blend of glass tiles, mini-tiles, enameled glass on copper and stained glass. I love defining the organic shapes of the glass by architectural borders and patterns of the square tiles.
Having the contrast between the textured tiles and the smooth glass makes the texture a definite part of the design. I have recently started adding enameled copper in some of my designs and when the enameled glass powder melts into a shiny glaze, it brings a deeper range of color and surfaces to enjoy. Glass + tesserae tiles + enameled glass = Very Unique!
Nature provides much of my inspiration, using turquoise and blues from the ocean, copper, rust and browns of the Smoky Mountains in the fall and the deep rich pinks and oranges of a fantastic sunset. Color and nature get my energy going! Mother Nature inspires so many ideas that translate beautifully via glass and mosaic. My hope is that you enjoy these functional pieces of art that are not only beautiful to look at, but can be used everyday.
I also create collegiate trays and "Tailgate Tables" and my designs are licensed for University of Tennessee, Vanderbilt University and Alabama. Check out my website for more info about my Tailgate Tables. www.tangled-tiles.com